Duke improves to 19-2 overall and 11-1 in the ACC. Pittsburgh drops to 6-13 and 0-12 in conference.

“Coming back and winning after a tough match on Friday can prepare us for the postseason,” said head coach Jamie Ashworth. “With the ACC Tournament where we play three matches in three days or the NCAA Tournament which is four matches in five days, we have to be able to rebound and be stronger the next day. After the tough match on Friday at Syracuse, we had a light practice yesterday just to get familiar with the courts. It’s about making sure we’re as fresh as we can possibly be.”

Duke had little problems taking the doubles point. First Meible Chiand Hannah Zhaobounced back from their loss on Friday by beating Natsumi Okamoto and Gabriela Rezende 6-1. Kaitlyn McCarthyand Ellyse Hamlinfollowed with a 6-2 win over Claire Lucas and Claudia Bartolome.

The Blue Devils did not let up in singles play as they dropped just a single set in the six matches. The first Duke player to win was Samantha Harrisbeating Rezende 6-1, 6-2. The win gave Harris 39 career ACC wins, the most by any Duke player.

Hamlin closed out her match against Callie Frey with little resistance, winning 6-2, 6-1. Kelly Chenclinched the match for Duke by beating Bartolome 6-4, 6-1. Chen is the last remaining Blue Devil without a loss in the ACC, as she is 12-0 so far.

After her 23 match winning streak was broken up on Friday, Chi got back into the win column by beating Camila Moreno 6-1, 7-5.

Closing out the match was McCarthy beating Luisa Varon 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) and Zhao winning the third set tiebreaker to beat Okamoto 6-2, 5-7, 1-0 (10-5).

“I thought our singles play was really good,” added Ashworth. “Sam played a really, good solid match. Ellyse played a great match. Those two in particular stood out. It was good that we got through the weekend well and are in a good spot moving forward.”

Duke has two final home matches to close out the regular season. The Blue Devils host North Carolina on Friday afternoon and then face Virginia Tech on Sunday. Both matches will be played in Ambler Tennis Stadium.

“The match Friday is a huge match,” Ashworth said. “We just have to make sure we’re focused and recovered. We want to be as fresh as we can be this late in the season. There’s not a lot we have to work on, we just need to make sure we’re focused and to play with energy and emotion. The girls don’t need a lot of hyping up. When we play Carolina, we know it’s a big match and a great opportunity. There will be a lot on the line with the ACC regular championship.”